news digest ♦ Solar
differentiation and its deep IP portfolio,” says Howard Lee, Stion’s Chief Technology Officer, Founder and Sr. Vice President of Technology. “Showing initial results of 20 percent+ is a strong validation of scalability, and our ability to provide ‘Simply Better’ solutions to our customers using this technology. We expect the technology to keep improving with production experience”
Stion’s approach to CIGS leverages proprietary materials and device expertise along with a robust, high-volume manufacturing process based on readily available, standardised equipment. Combining the simplicity of thin- film manufacturing with ultra high performance products greater than 20 percent efficiency is yet Stion is striving to be Simply Better than the competition.
HelioVolt seeking investment
In order to maximise value in its CIGS technology, the company intends to consider a range of alternatives, including investments, joint ventures or an M&A transaction that fits its strategic objectives
HelioVolt’s Board of Directors has authorised the evaluation of strategic alternatives for the company’s CIGS photovoltaic development and manufacturing business.
The company has suspended manufacturing operations to align its short-term cost structure with the objective of preserving maximum value in its intellectual property and demonstration facility while a suitable alternative is identified. HelioVolt will reduce personnel over the next sixty days as appropriate to support its evolving strategy.
B.J. Stanbery, the firm’s founder and Chief Science Officer, says, “We are initiating this process because our strategic partner, SK Group, for reasons related to their business strategy, has informed us that they will no longer pursue their prior global solar PV goals. While we continue to highly value the relationship with SK and have made tremendous technical progress in partnership with them, we are disappointed by their decision at a moment when we believe the solar market is poised for exceptional growth.”
Dong Kim, HelioVolt’s Executive Chairman and President of the SK PV Task Force, adds, “HelioVolt’s technology and strength of its commercial ready manufacturing process have been greatly improved, having achieved new performance levels and reduced cost of ownership, potentially becoming a world leader. We are devoted to continue developing relationships with potential partners/ investors who will pursue the manufacturing initiative with HelioVolt technology.”
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www.compoundsemiconductor.net March 2014
A cavity that renders an optical nanocavity
Researchers say an optical ‘nanocavity’ could boost light absorption in semiconductors and improve solar cells, cameras and more
Scientists at the University of Buffalo say a new advancement could lead to major breakthroughs in energy-harvesting and conversion, security and other areas that will benefit humankind. Associated with unhappy visits to the dentist, “cavity” means something else in the branch of physics known as optics. Put simply, an optical cavity is an arrangement of mirrors that allows beams of light to circulate in closed paths. These cavities help us build things like lasers and optical fibre used for communications. Now, an international research team have pushed the concept further by developing an optical ‘nanocavity’ that boosts the amount of light that ultrathin semiconductors absorb. The advancement could lead to, among other things, more powerful photovoltaic cells and faster video cameras; it also could be useful for splitting water using energy from light, which could aid in the development of hydrogen fuel. The team, comprised of faculty and students from the University at Buffalo and two Chinese universities, presented its findings February 24th in the journalAdvanced Materials.
A rendering shows a beam of light interacting with an optical nanocavity. The nanocavity boosts light absorption in ultrathin semiconductors. (Credit: Advanced Materials)
“We’re just scratching the surface, but the preliminary work that we’ve done is very promising,” says Qiaoqiang Gan, PhD, lead author and UB assistant professor of electrical engineering. “This advancement could lead to major breakthroughs in energy-harvesting and conversion, security and other areas that will benefit humankind.” The most common semiconductor material, silicon, is used to make microchips for cellular phones, computers and other electronic devices.
Industry has kept pace with the demand for smaller, thinner and more powerful optoelectronic devices, in part, by shrinking the size of the semiconductors used
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